Elevators are generally divided into two categories: elevators with a machine room and elevators without a machine room.
As the name suggests, machine roomless elevators do not have a machine room. The traction machine for this type of elevator is installed on the guide rail and supporting beam, while the control cabinet and other equipment are fixed to the shaft wall.
Machine room elevators, which include small machine room elevators and regular machine room elevators, typically have the machine room located at the top, taking up more space compared to machine roomless elevators. Next we will focus on the basic structure of elevators with machine rooms.
I. The four main spaces that make up an elevator
1. Engine Room Section
This includes the traction machine, speed limiter, control cabinet, power cabinet and exhaust equipment.
2. Lift Cart Section
This includes the car, safety equipment, safety window, door operator, leveling device and COP control box.
3. Floor door section
This includes the hall door, door top, door frame, sliders, rollers and sill.
4. Well Section
This includes the traction machine, speed limiter, control cabinet, power cabinet and exhaust equipment.
II. The eight main systems that make up an elevator
1. Traction system
The main function of the traction system is to produce and transfer energy to operate the elevator. It mainly consists of traction steel rope, guide wheel and counter rope pulley.
2. Guidance System
The guidance system restricts the mobility of the carriage and counterweight, allowing them to move only up and down along the guide rail. It mainly consists of guide rail, guide shoe and guide rail bracket.
3. Car lifting system
The car is the elevator component that transports passengers and goods. It consists of the structure and body of the car.
4. Door system
The door system seals the station entrance and the car entrance. It consists of car door, floor door, door operator and door lock device.
5. Weight balance system
The main function of this system is to balance the weight of the car and keep the weight difference between the car and the counterweight within a limit during elevator operation, ensuring normal transmission of traction. The system mainly consists of the counterweight and weight compensation device.
6. Electric drive system
The electric drive system provides power and controls the speed of the elevator. It consists of traction, power system, speed feedback device, engine speed control device, etc.
7. Electrical control system
The main function of the electrical control system is to operate and control the elevator. It mainly consists of control device, position display device, control panel (cabinet), leveling device, selector, etc.
8. Security system
The safety system guarantees the safe use of the elevator and prevents accidents that could harm personal safety. It consists of elevator monitoring, elevator floor display, speed limiter, safety equipment, buffer, end station protection device, etc.
III. Elevator Operating Principles
An elevator has a cabin and a counterweight, connected by a steel cable. The traction drive of the driving device (traction machine) allows the elevator car and counterweight to move up and down on the elevator's internal guide rail.
The guide shoes, fixed to the car, can move up and down along the fixed guide rail installed on the building shaft wall, preventing the car from deviating or shaking during operation.
The normally closed block brake is released when the engine is running, allowing the elevator to operate. In the event of a power outage, it brakes, preventing the car from going up or down and keeping it stopped on the floor designated for the entry or exit of passengers and goods.
The car, a component of the box, carries passengers or other loads, while the counterweight is used to balance the car's load and reduce engine power. The compensation device compensates for tension and weight changes in the movement of the traction cable, stabilizing the load on the traction motor and allowing the car to dock accurately.
The electrical system controls the movement of the elevator while performing floor selection, leveling, speed measurement and lighting tasks. The call indication system constantly displays the direction of movement of the car and its current position on the floor. Safety devices ensure the safe operation of the elevator.
